Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 5 1887.djvu/223

 Rh her friend's head, and then tries to suspend it by the root from the palm of her own hand. If this can be done the test is successful. When a little older there are many ways in which our maidens "try for their sweethearts." A few of the rules prescribed for these rites, which have been handed down from generation to generation, may be worth transcribing. "Draw a bracken fern, cut it at the bottom of the stalk; there you will find your lover's initials." Take an applepip between the forefinger and the thumb, flip it into the air, saying, "North, south, east, west, tell me where my love doth rest," and watch the direction in which it falls. Go into the fields at the time of the new moon and pluck a piece of herb yarrow; put it when going to bed under your pillow, saying—

If you are to be married your sweetheart will appear to you in you in dreams.

"Look out of your bed-room window on St. Valentine's morn, note the first man you see, and you will marry the same, or one of the name."

To lose your apron or your garter shows that your lover is thinking of you. Three candles burning at the same time is the sign of a wedding; and the girl who is nearest to the door, the cupboard, and the shortest candle will be married first. When two people accidentally say the same thing at the same time the one who finishes first will be married first. There are a great number of omens similar to these last, equally stupid, and not worthy of notice.

"Friday is a cross day for marriage," and "If you marry in Lent you'll live to repent." Should you in marrying

but it is lucky if your initials form a word.

When a younger sister marries first the elder is said to dance in the "bruss" (short twigs of heath or furze), from an old custom of